We can make all the calculations we want about the percentages that are proposed and, in addition, justify them as a consequence of the multilingual models that the Botànic implemented, but the only certainty is that, with the proposal of the PP and Vox, there is a risk that the Valencian loses presence in schools and institutes. It is an objective hypothesis. Because the minimum of 25% of Valencian that the Botànic imposed in the Spanish-speaking areas is eliminated (an issue that is true that the Llei d’Ús approved by the PSOE in the 80s contemplates), and the percentages of “bilingualism” are modified in the Valencian-speaking areas in favor, slightly, of Spanish, in addition to creating a framework that can cause many problems: having resources to satisfy all families in their desire for their children to learn with the chosen language; something that must be 100% guaranteed. The double line of Valencian and Castilian that the PP had in the past has not really been recovered, which would not have been a bad solution. And I have always thought that it was a mistake for the Botànic to annul this system implemented by the PP prior to 2015, which allowed real immersion for families who wanted it in one language or another.
I will not be the one to question the freedom of any parent to choose the language in which they want their children to study; But in a bilingual autonomy, with two official languages ??recognized by its Statute, it seems reasonable to encourage, encourage and enhance knowledge of both and, especially, of the one that is most at risk of losing presence in the different areas of life. What some see as a discomfort (their learning), I see as a way to expand our intellectual wealth; And I say this from the perspective of someone who equally loves, and masters, both languages, Valencian and Spanish. I have never understood, therefore, those who show a rejection, sometimes hatred, against Valencian, or who deny knowing Spanish as a way of enriching our linguistic heritage. The PP has made a proposed law that follows the line of the Botànic (which the courts overturned several regulations) of implementing percentages, but modifying them. Surely its partner Vox wanted the imbalance against Valencian to be greater, but at the end of the journey, and although bilingualism is maintained, the threat looms over Valencian.
Carlos Mazón is right when he points out that with the Botànic the presence of the Valencian was less, and it is a trend that has been detected since the time of Joan Lerma as president. Institutions have a limited capacity to defend minority languages ??in the face of the consolidation of hegemonic linguistic ecosystems such as Spanish (on television it is omnipresent and also on social networks) and, above it, English. For this reason, those of us who love Valencian and Spanish, and who do not believe in impositions, cannot help but insist that any decline in their presence in the educational system impoverishes us as a society and as a people. It should not be like this, it should be the opposite, linguistic wealth should make us proud because, in addition, it benefits our children’s ability to learn other languages. Finally, I believe that it is a serious error that the Valencian parties have not been able to agree on a model of multilingualism for forty years that is not changed in each political cycle and that guarantees, for those who want it and for their children, being able to know their two languages ??in the same conditions, the two languages ??of the Valencians.
